About Me

My step-father was diagnosed with liver cancer and our world changed. After researching the survival rates, we were worried. His doctor reassured us that there were ways to increase the likelihood of survival and push him towards recovery. Ten years later, he is still cancer-free. I created this blog to help other families who are dealing with liver cancer and its effects. Watching a family member fight liver cancer is scary, but there are ways to help. Knowing how to handle the bad days and being prepared for every step of the process helped our family and hopefully, it can help others.

The anxiety of a parent whose child is in addicted to drugs knows no bounds. In fact, most parents don't know how to act or react when their kids have to go to addiction recovery centers. However, knowing what to do and what to avoid will keep you calm and help you assist your kid with their addiction. Here are a few pointers on what you should do during this trying time:

Understand the Treatment Process

You need to know what addiction is, the type of drug your teenager is hooked on as well as the details of the treatment process they are on. This is the best way to deal with your distress; the fear of the unknown can drive you nuts. Ask the teenager's counselors as many questions as you need to help you understand the process.

Don't Blame Yourself

Although it may be tempting to blame yourself, you won't help anyone by doing it. It doesn't mean that you have failed as a parent if your child is addicted to drugs; there are many causes of drug abuse. Curiosity, peer pressure, boredom, and the need to look grown up are just some of the reasons kids try drugs, which they eventually get hooked to. Beating yourself over the issue may preoccupy you and make it difficult to help the kid.

Be Patient

The first thing you should know is that your kid won't recover overnight even if you take them to the best or most expensive (and those two don't always go together) recovery center in the country. It takes some time to kick a drug habit. It can take as short as 90 days and as long as 12 months for your teenager to recover. The exact duration depends on numerous factors including how long the child has been using the drug and the type of drug they are hooked on.

Don't Let the Teenager Be In Control

Even if you usually let your children a lot of leeway in their lives, this isn't the time to do it. The child can be deceptive and manipulative; the combination of teenage years and drug addiction often does that to people. Even if the child seems calm and collected when talking to you, it doesn't mean they have recovered. They may try to talk to you into an early release, but don't listen to them. Only you and the kid's counselors should make major decisions on the teenager's treatment.

Hopefully, the addiction recovery center will help your teenager to recover permanently. Don't forget to follow the advice given by your kid's counselors to help the kid stay away from drugs. Click here to read more about addiction treatment.